2015 – INTRODUCTION OF EMAIL CIRCULARS

December 2014
An Annual Recollection from the Association for Retired Insurance Staff 2015 – Introduction of Email Circulars
Visit our website: www.ariscork.ie – Email: [email protected]
• World War 1 – 100th Anniversary
• Insurance Institute Notes
• Reeling In The Years / Aris Diary
• A Loss Adjuster Arrives in Cork
• Aris Golf
• Poetry – Aidan Duggan
• Notice Board
C
New Members Welcome in 2015
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irc mail u
lar O
nly s
20 15
• Appreciation: The Late Ger Manning
ARIS Chairpersons
1982
JB Maher Irish Life
1983/4
Noel Gavin Royal
1985 Liam Stack Irish Life
1986/7 Tom Lapthorne
Royal Liver
1988/95 Jack Power Scottish Provident
1989 Garret Tobin Irish Life
1990 Gertie Gavin
1991 Joe Matthews 1992 Denis O’Donoghue Irish Life
1993 Maurice Casey
Irish Life
1994 Donie Cremin Royal Liver
1996
Jim O’Keeffe Irish Life
1997 Ray Fitzgerald Commercial Ins. Bkrs
1998
JB Forde Norwich Union
1999 Kieran Canniffe Eagle Star Life
2000
Declan Canton Eagle Star
2001 Brendan Lyons Phoenix & Cusack Ins.
2002 Jim Heappey General Accident
2003
Aidan Duggan Royal
2004
Declan O’Connor
Royal
2005/6
Michael Kavanagh Allianz
2007/8
Tom Lynch Sun Alliance
City Life
‘09/10/11 Maurice Griffin Zurich
2012
Noel Dillon
Royal-Ombg
2013
Ger Dowling
RSA
2014 Ger ManningRSA
ARIS Committee 2014
Chair:
Deputy Chair:
Hon. Sec / Treasurer:
Hon. Auditor:
Asst. Sec. / Treasurer:
Committee:
Golf Captain:
Golf Sec:
Charities/Council Rep:
ARIS TIMES COMMITTEE:
Editor:
Asst. Editors:
Poetry Editor:
The Late Ger Manning
Finbarr McGrath
Ray Fitzgerald
Billy Sullivan
Ger Dowling
Tony Brooks
John Crowley
Noel Dillon
Finbarr Garrett
Maurice Griffin
Tom Lynch
Tom Potts
John Packham
Declan Canton
Kieran Canniffe
Maurice Griffin
Finbarr Garrett
John Crowley
Aidan Duggan
But Not Forgotten
Absent
Brendan Griffith: From Ballindine, near Claremorris,
Co. Mayo, Brendan was educated at the renowned
football college, St. Jarleths, Tuam. Following secondary
education, like many contemporaries in the 1950’s,
Brendan emigrated to London, joined the Royal Mail,
and then Norwich Union Life. It was in London where
he met his future wife, Maura, from Cork. In the early
60’s Brendan returned to Cork with Norwich Union Life,
and remained until his retirement. Together, Brendan
and Maura were great supporters of ARIS functions and
outings. We remember Brendan this Christmas time, and
our thoughts are with Maura and the family.
Martin O’Riordan: From Lisgoold, north of Midleton.
After completing secondary school in St. Colman’s
College, Fermoy, Martin joined the Insurance Corp. of
Ireland and for many years, was an Inspector on the Mall.
Subsequently, he moved to Consolidated Ins. Brokers,
became a Director, and following its takeover by Scottish
firm Jardines, he then became Managing Director of the
new company, JLT Insurance who are great sponsors of
ARIS for many years. We remember Martin, in particular
his wife, his family and friends this Christmas time.
Kathleen Fitzgerald: Wife of Don Fitzgerald, Insurance
Broker, Kanturk. Kathleen would be well known to
many Inspectors and insurers staff who serviced the
brokerage. From Cecilstown near Mallow, Kathleen was
a great support to Don in developing the business over
the years. Her family are now involved in the business.
We remember Kathleen, and in particular Don, Marion,
Kieran, Susan, and their friends this Christmas time.
Dermot Browne: From the wee county, Louth, Dermot
arrived in Cork in the 50s, and was Local Manager of
the British Engine and Boiler Insurance, part of Royal
Insurance Group. To his many friends, associates and
colleagues he was affectionately known as “Boiler
Browne”. He was a great sportsman, attending many IIC
Golf Soc. outings, ARIS Golf outings, and ARIS meetings.
Predeceased by his wife, we remember Dermot and
particularly his family Anne, Janet, Louise, Maria, Claire.
Bernard and Gerard.
Brian Darrer: Born in Belfast in 1936, the family moved
to Cork in 1947, when he attended St. Patricks NS and
CBC College. On finishing school, he joined Insurance
Corp. of Ireland, ICI, becoming Asst. Manager. In his
younger days he played rugby, soccer, cricket and golf,
and his interest continued in latter years and after he
retired in 1988. We remember Brian this Christmas, and
his sisters and the extended family.
Michael Sheehan: A larger than life character, Michael
joined General Accident and, going against the trend at
the time, joined O’Donnell Insurance. He stayed here
until as he said himself, “he went out on his own with
another fellow”. After running a successful brokerage for
many years with his partner, he eventually concentrated
on Life, Pensions and Investments. Michael was a kind
and generous man and when Kieran Canniffe asked if he
would cycle from St. Petersburg to Moscow for the Guide
Dogs, he jumped at it. He subsequently did Route 66 on
a Harley-Davidson for Temple St. Children’s Hospital. At
this Christmas time we remember Michael, and his wife
Laura and his family.
Janet Fitzgibbon: Wife of ARIS friend and supporter
Jim Fitzgibbon, Janet hailed from Vancouver in Canada.
She and Jim regularly explored the wilds of Canada and
Alaska which were the subjects of two talks by Jim to
ARIS members. We remember Janet this Christmas and
in particular Jim and his family.
Rest in Peace
Appreciation: The Late Gerald Manning
It was with great sadness that we learned
of the recent and untimely passing of our
current Chairman Gerald Manning. The large
congregation of members from ARIS and the
Insurance industry at Ger’s funeral mass was a
testament to the esteem in which he was held by
all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Ger became an ARIS member
in 2005 and was very honoured
and proud to be elected the
association’s Chairman in
2014. His programme of
events reflected in many ways
his interests in Local History,
Theatre, Sport and Politics. We
will remember in particular his
meticulous planning of our visit
to “Fiddler on the Roof” in Bord
Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin,
resulting in a most enjoyable
occasion.
underwriting bible was the hard backed Motor
Tariff with its multi - coloured pages containing
the various rates for Private Car, Commercial
Vehicle and Agricultural/Special Type vehicles,
with his well known initials “TGM” embossed on
the front cover. I’m sure the Third Party premium
of 13 pounds 9 shillings and 6 pence for a Morris
Minor will still be recalled by many underwriters
from that era.
Ger was a Fellow of the Chartered
Insurance Institute (FCII) and his
extensive technical knowledge of
the business was always evident
in his subsequent roles as Key
Account Manager Sales and
latterly as Branch Surveyor.
He was a graduate member
(MMII) of the Marketing Institute of
Ireland and served as Chairman of
the Southern Region in 1986/88.
Ger commenced his insurance
career in November 1962 when
he joined the Shield Insurance Company. He
was recruited by the late Ned MacSweeney for
the Fire Department of the London Assurance
in December 1964 and thus began a most
successful career throughout the various
amalgamations of London, Sun Alliance,
Phoenix, and Royal, (now RSA) spanning 41
years until his retirement in 2005.
Ger was the Cork Branch
representative on the Sun Alliance
Staff Association (SALSA) for
over 10 years and will be remembered for
his great negotiation skills, persistence, and
attention to detail, which ensured staff members
welfare and salaries were always protected.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Margo,
his daughter Susan, and sons Brian, Aidan,
Trevor, Conor, family, friends and insurance
He became Motor Department Section Head in colleagues.
1967 managing the considerable motor portfolio Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
of Cork Branch and its local offices in Limerick,
G.D.
Galway, Kilkenny, Waterford and Tralee. His
Thank You
We would like to take this opportunity to express
our appreciation to all our members for their
steadfast support throughout the year which saw
very large attendances at our monthly talks and
summer outings.
Billy Sullivan. Declan Canton, Past Chairman,
aris Times Editor retires as Golf Secretary, our
thanks to Declan who has rendered great service
to aris over many years. Kieran Canniffe also
has rendered sterling service in a variety of
rolls Chairman, mc, but this year in his role as
Thank you to our 46 Brick Wall sponsors for Charities Representative. The Charities Shield
your continuing financial support towards the was won by II Cork – well done and thanks to
production of ARIS TIMES magazine.
Kieran.
We are forever grateful for the excellent support Special thanks to our Deputy Chairman Finbarr
received from the Councils of Insurance Institute McGrath who very ably took over the Chairs role
of Cork and Insurance Institute of Ireland and during the year.
to their respective Presidents, Brian O’Dwyer
and Richard Endersen, we extend our deep To Douglas GC for all their help and support to
appreciation.
aris and its members over the years.
Our sincere thanks to all our guest speakers for Finally, to each member and their families, we wish
your informative and entertaining presentations, you all the Blessings and Happiness of Christmas
and also to all our committee members for their and good health throughout the New Year.
dedication and hard work, including our auditor
ARIS DIARY OF EVENTS 2014
5th December 2013: Christmas Lunch
L to R: Tess Murphy, Peg and Aidan Duggan.
Martina Dowling, Margo Manning
and Verna Garrett
Ger Dowling, ARIS Chair, hosted the annual
Christmas Lunch, with the biggest attendance
ever at 74 guests. During the service break
between turkey, trimmings and plum pudding,
the spot prize draws took place, and our thanks
again to all the sponsors. After dinner, the guest
of honour, II Cork President, Rory O’Sullivan
was most complimentary to ARIS and its work
over the years which we can be proud of.
Douglas Golf President, Ray Quinn, also spoke
of the connection between Douglas and ARIS,
indicating we are always welcome and long
may it continue. Chairman Ger responded and
thanked Rory for his kind words and the support
of the Institute both locally and nationally over
the years and he also thanked all the staff of
Douglas Golf Club.
Right L to R: Dermot Barron, Ber
and Pat O’Reilly and Joan Barron.
Having made his mark as an excellent Chair,
Ger decided to mark the contributions to
ARIS by Noel Dillon, immediate Past Chair
and Aidan Duggan, our Poetry Editor. They
were both presented with framed pictures
themed on ARIS. Both thanked members for
the acknowledgement and were delighted with
the presentation. Pausing for a few moments
to reflect, another ‘piece de resistance’ was
about to unfold with an ‘aria’ from the wonderful
voice of Teresa O’Connor. With more chat and
Season’s Greetings, a great lunch concluded.
L to R: Kevin Higgins, Dan Donovan, John
Forde, and John Packham.
L to R: Two members of ARIS Waterford
Branch, Michael Hassett and Dan Dwyer,
(both Corkmen), both welcome, and Tim
Barry.
L to R: Roy Jolly and Maurice Griffin being
serenaded by Breta Poland.
L to R: Don Trotter, Dan Coakley, Padraigh
and Rose Lucey.
9th January 2014:
Annual General Meeting.
Ger’s last event as chair of ARIS, and after
full discussions on the AGENDA items e,g.
committee, finance and officers, it was decided to
appoint assistants to Ray and two new positions
to assist Ray were ratified ie. Asst. Secretary
and Asst. Treasurer. Ger D appointed himself to
both positions, without any opposition!
Noel Dillon receiving his presentation
from Chair Ger
In a fine finale Ger thanked all members for
their support and help during 2013 and, to much
applause, presented the late Ger Manning with
the Chairs Medal for 2014. Ger M. set out his
stall for 2014 and he said it can be tweaked.
He was high in his praise for Ger D. and the
member’s applause confirmed the contribution
of both. The new 2014 Chairman Ger nominated
Finbarr McGrath as Deputy Chair to more
applause and approval. The next item on the
agenda took place, tea, coffee, and chat.
L to R: Ray Fitzgerald, IIC President Rory
O’Sullivan, ARIS Chair Ger Dowling,
President of Douglas Golf Club Ray Quinn,
The Late Ger Manning, Noel Dillon.
AGM: Ger Dowling, ARIS Chair 2013 (right)
presents Chairs Medal to the Late Ger
Manning, Chair 2014
Aidan Duggan receiving his presentation
from Chair Ger.
L to R: Deputy Chair Finbarr McGrath, Chair
2014 The Late Ger Manning and Vice Chair
Ger Dowling
AGM 2015 – 8th January
The ARIS ‘Fiddlers on the Roof’ at the theatre in Dublin. Is that a Revenue Commissioner in the background with the black hat?
15th January: Everyman Theatre – ‘An Ideal
Husband’ by Oscar Wilde.
Many members attended Oscar Wilde’s satirical
play on its opening night. ARIS can be proud
again, as the Director was ARIS member
and great supporter Michael Twomey. The
production, cast and sets were wonderful and
the witticisms delightful on a dreary January
evening. Well done to all!!
The story of the “Fiddler on the Roof” is set in
pre-revolutionary Russia around 1903, and
focuses on the poverty stricken and humble
milkman Tevya. His concern for the welfare of
his daughters is evident throughout and the story
ends somewhat tragically when Tevya and his
family are forced to leave their home and village
because of a threatened pogrom, reflecting anti
semitism in Tzarist Russia.
6th February: ‘J.B. and Me’ Talk by ARIS member,
Michael Twomey.
After the show, there was the reverse journey
by train, the 7.00pm to Cork, and the topic of
conversation was the great day out. Deserved
compliments to ARIS chair, the late Ger M. for
organising the trip and the show, with talk of a
return trip.
ARIS always welcomes Michael’s theatrical
insights and his great support over the years,
Buiochas mor do Michael.
Arriving at Kent Station, headcount completed,
nobody lost, and the curfew not breached, all
headed home after a wonderful day out.
19th February:
Bord Gáis Theatre, Dublin,
‘Fiddler on the Roof’.
6th March: ‘Music Themes at the
Outbreak of WWI’ by Lt. Col. Brian
Lenihan, Retired.
Over 30 members and partners of ARIS boarded
the 9.20am train. Destination: Heuston Station.
On arrival, they hopped on the Luas and hopped
off at the Maldron Hotel. Following a hearty
lunch, members’ appetites were whetted for the
show, which started at 2.30pm.
Brian, who served with the UN in Egypt, Lebanon
and Jordan, and with the EU in Paris, Kosovo
and Bosnia, gave ARIS members a wonderful
talk last year on the Middle East. His first piece
was the famous ‘Col. Bogey March’, performed
by the Coldstream Guards, better known as
‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’. We were treated
to a superb performance of a Puccini Aria by
Cork’s own Cara O’Sullivan. The masterful voice
of Benino Gigli sung out an old ‘78 recording of
Camile Sant Sans ‘Dying Swan’. Ivor Novellos
‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’, was performed
by our own Count John McCormack, who trained
and sang with La Scala in Milan, Italians unable
linguistically to pronounce… “McCormack” gave
him the name…John Foli!
The show lasted three hours. It was excellent
entertainment and the lead role, ‘Tevya’, was
played by Michael Paul Glaser of ‘Starsky
and Hutch’ fame. The title role of ‘The Fiddler’
was played by the very attractive and graceful
Jennifer Douglas. Musical favourites included “If
I were a Rich Man”, “Sunrise” and “Matchmaker,
Matchmaker”. The absence of an orchestra
added to the production as all instruments were
played live on stage by the very talented cast.
Caruso, from Sorrento in Italy, spent 25 years
at the MET, New York, and was aware of the
power recorded music had on the masses. We
were treated to his performance of ‘Over There
the Yanks are Coming’ a song which coincided
with the American entry to WWI on April 7th 1917.
Irving Berlin, a most prolific composer and writer
of music, gave an outstanding performance of
‘This is the Army Mr Jones’. Frenchman Maurice
Chevallier who was a POW from 1916-1917 had
a girlfriend who was a friend of the Spanish king.
She used her royal connections to mediate with
the Kaiser and King George to have him released!
Banned by Archbishop McQuaid, we heard his
wonderful “Thank Heaven for Little Girls”.
Silent Night, Christmas 1915, a song which
epitomises the cruelty and futility of war, and
the irony of those on the front line, who don’t
know what they are fighting for, or why. Written
by Cormac McConnell, a Fermanagh man, a
reporter with the Irish Press, and music is in
the family genes! In 1989 he lost his dear wife,
four children to be looked after, mortgage, and
the imminent closure of the Irish Press. Finding
himself in Connemara, watching an RTÉ
moving documentary on an unofficial “Truce”
on Christmas Day 1915 from the “hell on earth”
that was life in the trenches, Cormac was deeply
moved, and creatively inspired to write the song
and air…
“Silent Night…Christmas 1915”
As he said “It was a gift from above”. In
Ennistymon, at a seisiún, in Griffins Pub he sang
the song for the first time, he received great
applause, but more importantly, Germans in
the pub were moved to tears!! It was played by
Brian Lenihan at our music morning, and tenor,
Clareman, Jerry Lynch, is its finest exponent,
and we have Cormac’s blessing to produce it
here in poetry form:
L to R: Finbarr McGrath, Lt. Col. Brian
Lenihan, ARIS Chair, The Late Ger Manning
Maori music (the Haka) can be wonderful and we
had a real musical treat with Hayley Westerna’s
beautiful rendition of the echoing music ‘The
Maori the Song of the Troops’, remembered
as the theme music of 2000 Sydney Olympic
Games.
Good wine is always last, and annually, on
Christmas Eve during midnight Mass in Collins
Barracks, the lights are always dimmed. It was
candle light only, and in that setting at that time of
year, the WWI Christmas Ceasefire on “No Man’s
Land” is recalled in the wonderful and poignantly
themed ‘Silent Night, No Cannons Roar,
Christmas 1915’. The wonderful performance of
the song by Clare tenor Jerry Lynch (from the
CD ‘The Dimming of the Light’) was a final grand
finale to a great musical morning It was ARIS’s
largest morning attendance ever, and members
and friends were not disappointed. So if your
retired colleagues have not joined, get them to
do so now. They won’t regret it! It was a great
morning’s music. Our buíochas mór goes to
Brian Lenihan. It’s a case of encore, encore!!
SILENT NIGHT, NO CANNONS ROAR, CHRISTMAS 1915, by Cormac McConnell
Nineteen fifteen on Christmas Day,
On the Western Front the guns all died away,
And lying in the mud on bags of sand,
We heard a German sing from no mans land,
He had a tenor voice so pure and true,
The words were strange but every note we knew,
Soaring ore the living and the dammed,
A German sang of peace from no mans land,
They left their trenches and we left ours,
Beneath tin hats the smiles bloomed
like wild flowers,
With photos, cigarettes and pots of wine,
We built a soldiers truce on the front line,
Their singer was a lad of twenty one,
We begged another song before the dawn,
And sitting in the mud and blood and fear,
He sang again the song all longed to hear,
Silent Night, No cannons roar !!
A king is born of peace for ever more,
All’s calm, all’s bright,
All brothers hand in hand,
In nineteen and fifteen, in No Man’s Land
And in the morning all the guns boomed in the rain,
And we killed them and they killed us again,
At night they charged we fought them hand in hand
And I killed the boy, that sang in no man’s land
Silent night, No cannons roar!!
A king is born of peace for evermore,
All’s calm, all’s bright,
All brothers hand in hand,
And that young soldier sings,
And the song of peace still rings,
Though the Captains and all the kings,
Built … No man’s land
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
3rd April: ‘The Life and Times of a
Sportsman and Sports Manager’
by Billy Morgan.
Noel Dillon, Billy Morgan, Speaker, ARIS
Dep. Chair Finbarr McGrath, and Vincent
Poland.
Despite being synonymous with GAA, Soccer
and Rugby run through Billy’s veins, particularly
as he highlighted the fact that he escaped the
dreaded BAN, having met his wife Mary in
Cork’s own ‘ballroom of romance’… Constitution
Dances. Luckily for Billy and Mary, the ‘vigili
urbani’ of the GAA were absent without leave
that night!! From Tonyville, near High St., he was
precluded from playing soccer with his friends
because of the ban, as he played football with
Coláiste Chríost Rí. Playing minor and U21,
he joined soccer team Tramore FC. Taking no
risks with a ball handler they put him in goal, as
he was an outfield player in GAA. Unwittingly,
soccer launched a wonderful goalkeeping career
for Billy. He returned to Nemo and UCC, who
were looking for a goalkeeper and Billy was the
man. He won several Sigerson Cups for UCC
and played with Cork U21’s as goalkeeper, with
the ambition to ‘graduate’ to outfield.
In 1972 Tuff Barry was named as Cork’s senior
football coach, but the players wanted Donie
Donovan. The team doctor was the famous Dr.
Jim Young. The players asked for a masseuse
and were told to contact a boxing fellow in
Blackpool, who gives a ‘rub down’, John Kid
Cronin, another name synonymous with Cork
GAA was launched!!
In 1973 Cork wins the All Ireland, famous for the
replays of Jimmy Barry Murphy’s second goal.
In goal for Cork, after saving the ball, Billy went
on his knees to give thanks. During his college
days Billy played some rugby and in one famous
game between the Western Star v. the Rock
(UCCs rugby pub v. GAA pub respectively). The
score was 6-5 in favour of the Rock. Billy was
on the team as was the late great Moss Keane
who was the star on the day, (who always came
first in his college exams!). A great GAA man in
Cork is the legendary Dr. Con Murphy, who while
attending a sports health conference was asked
nonchalantly by an attendee “Did you ever save
anyones life at a match?” Pensive for a moment,
Dr. Con replied, “Yes, I saved referee Tommy
Sugrue from being killed by Billy Morgan!”
The ‘70’s was the era of Dublin v. Kerry, Heffo v.
Micko, and Billy was chosen by the Department
of Education to attend St. Marys, Strawberry
Hill, to qualify in PE and duly received a Masters
Degree. A contemporary in the college was the
late Dermot Early, who took to playing rugby and
to everybody’s amazement at the college, except
Billy, he was a sublime place kicker of the oval
ball! Billy then married and spent time at New
York University, NYU, and returned to teach in
Deerpark.
Billy managed Cork Senior footballers from 1986
to 1996, and from 2004 to 2007 inclusive, won
All Irelands as Player and Manager. His father
was from Galway, educated in the famed rugby
school Garbally College, Ballinasloe, (Kieran
Fitzgerald fame) and he captained London Irish.
Our thanks to one of Corks great sportsmen and
representatives, Billy Morgan.
Another great reason to cast the net for new
members!!
1st May: Visit to Irish Distillers, Midleton
Having qualified in situ in “Whiskey Tasting”
Declan Jones (left) and Don Trotter are
appointed ARIS beverage testers for the
foreseeable future!!
Anonymous ARIS member ‘Moonshining’
ARIS MEMBERS at Irish Distillers
5th June:
The Annual Gathering
The deputy Chair, Finbarr McGrath said grace
and introduced proceedings, wishing the Chair,
The Late Ger Manning, a speedy recovery and
good wishes to much applause from members.
The day had a theatrical ambience, with Michael
Twomey, Dan Donovan and special guest Vass
Anderson. Dining “al fresco” were two lesser
known theatre aficionados, who in their younger
days made an outstanding contribution to the
L to R: Tim and Maria McGrath,
Dublin Insurance Dramatic Society, Cyril and
Mary McGrath, and Archie O’Leary.
Meave Treacy (Guardian Assurance), and as
someone remarked “there are more actors
Vass’ father was the manager of Fort Camden in
present, and they don’t realise it”.
Crosshaven, and in the hungry 1950’s, jobs were
hard to come by. But he felt certain that some
curled finger masonic handshakes took place
and he was offered a ‘position’ in the Ocean,
the only insurance company at that time which
insured lady motorists!!. Bill Davidson was
Manager and told jokes for charity in the Gregg
Hall. Bill was II Cork President 1953/54. He
eventually decided to transfer to Belfast and was
replaced by a Mr. Cruise, who ran the Ocean from
a fortress room in the ‘Rob Roy’ pub in Cooke
St. and cared only for staff that played rugby and/
or drank. Vass worked in the Fire department
L to R: An apt theatrical portrait…
with Frank Duggan (the Cha part of Cha and
Dan Donovan and Vass Anderson
Miah) and part of their duties was to monitor
Michael Twomey introduced Vass, saying he rogue farmers pretending that their outbuildings
knew Vass for over 60 years, and when he did not have thatched roofs.
started in the Irish National at 27 South Mall,
Vass started in the Ocean Insurance in 1951 also
at number 27. Reminiscing (which is an ARIS
core competency), Michael said in those days, it
was noted that Vass was always reading a book,
an Institute text, so Vass passed the Institute
examinations with ease. In 1963 Vass emigrated
to London, still in the Insurance business,
teaching drama and acting. With that Vass took
the floor and outlined his career, and given his
L to R: Cyril and Meave Treacy
stage training he spoke most eloquently.
and Tom Meade.
L to R: Matt Walsh, Tim Barry and Alan
Normoyle all old General Accident.
In 1963 Vass was moved to Dublin Head Office
but the scene in Dublin was not to his liking so
he moved to London. He described the London
scene as follows: “Insurance in London with so
many head offices was like working on a factory
floor, just being a cog on a wheel where you
did not know where it was going”. But unlike
Cork’s close knit insurance community around
L to R: Peg and Donal O’Leary & Mary Terry
L to R: The old Norwich Union, Michael and
Ellen Lawlor, Hillary and John Crowley, and
Golf Captain 2014 John Packham.
He freelanced as a journalist writing articles
on the Irish diaspora in London for the Cork
Examiner, the Irish Press and the London Irish
Post newspapers. He also became involved with
local pub theatres and set up a training school for
actors, which lasted 24 years, and many of the
stars we recognise today were trained by Vass at
some stage. Gradually, more work, particularly
in TV dramas, came his way. He played parts
in ‘Pennies from Heaven’, ‘Fr. Ted’, ‘Superman’
with Marlyn Brando, ‘Smiley’s People’ with Sir
Alec Guinness, ‘Morse’ with John Thaw, ‘Poirot’,
‘Frost’, and a part in ‘Star Wars’. But joining
actors Equity remained a problem, as it virtually
guaranteed work. A big breakthrough came when
he was asked to do a number of broadcasts for
BBC RADIO 1 (having previously broadcast on
Radio Éireann). This gave him access to Equity
and was his passport to work and recognition.
Vass continues to be involved, visiting Cork
annually, and keeps up the old connections.
On behalf of all ARIS members and guests, and
there was a great number of welcome guests at
the gathering, we thank Vass for his wonderful
talk and wish him good health and happiness in
the years ahead.
With a final few words from Finbarr, and applause
all round, members chatted, and dispersed
eagerly awaiting ARIS’ next trip.
L to R: Breta and Vincent Poland, Lucy
Fleming, and Mary Normoyle.
L to R: Jack O’Sullivan, Vass Anderson, Guest
Speaker, Michael Twomey and Brian Cotter.
the South Mall, London was a place where you
could ‘moonshine’ and Vass exploited this to the
maximum.
3rd July: Visit to Camden Fort
Meagher, Crosshaven.
L to R: At Fort Camden, joining the Marine
Services: Don Trotter, Finbarr McGrath,
John Packham (who actually joined the
“Gondaliers” division) and Tony Brooks.
Email circulars 2015
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4th September: “The Life and Times
of a District Judge” Retired District
Justice Michael Patwell
L to R: Geraldine Walsh, Fred Cassidy,
Donal O’Leary, and Donal O’Reilly.
Camden Fort Meagher is one of the finest
examples of a classical coastal Artillery Fort.
It was first developed in 1550 because of its
strategic location overlooking the harbour and its
ease of access to the sea. The current Fort was
constructed by the British in the 19th century,
consisting of the Fort and a maze of underground
tunnels. We visited the various exhibits, such as
models of 19th century and WWI British Army
uniforms, and wartime medical instruments and
practices, which was a Florence Nightingale
scenario. The munitions store, deep in the
tunnels, provided an insight into the technical
sophistication of ammo storage and its security
in the 19th century. We retired for our own ‘ammo’
to the on-site restaurant for lunch and a chat.
L to R: Ger Dowling, Ray Fitzgerald, Billy
O’Neill, Retired District Justice, Michael
Patwell and Finbarr McGrath.
Michael Patwell came from humble beginnings,
his father being a small builder in Clonakilty.
Michael had a variety of occupations including
a baker, ice cream seller, a customs officer,
District Court Clerk. But at the age of 26, he
returned to college and qualified as a Solicitor
and was apprenticed to Cillian Boland. He was
subsequently appointed to the Bench, as District
Justice, for which his previous life roles prepared
him well. He enjoyed his time as a District
Justice, and his main interest in the courts was
Family Law and the welfare of children, which
was subsequently elaborated on in the Q. and
A. session. He outlined some cases, and in
particular court incidences. One such case was
a story about his friend Justice Bob O’hUdaig in
Dublin, who was a stickler for order and decorum
in his court. Annoyed to the point of exasperation
in one session, at a member of the public knawing
on chewing gum while simultaneously blowing
bubbles, he beckoned the court clerk to tell the
individual to stop masticating in his court. The
dutiful court clerk obliged, telling the individual
concerned to “take his hands out of his pockets” !
Now in retirement Michael continues to be
actively involved in Scouting, Woodturning, the
Credit Union Movement, and is a prolific writer
and a wonderful poet. It was an entertaining
talk, and ARIS members wish Michael well in his
retirement. Go raibh maith agat!
2nd October: History of Cork Airport by Diarmuid O’Drisceoil, Author and
Historian
Finbarr McGrath, Dep. Chair, ARIS, Matt
Walsh, Diarmuid O’Drisceoil, Guest Speaker,
and Michael Twomey
Although the first balloon flight over Dublin was
in 1785, the first balloon flight took place over
Cork in 1784. It was described in Macroom as
a ‘Diabolical Spirit’. Balloons were subsequently
used to carry famine corpses to Carrs Hill for
burial.
In 1909 Harry Ferguson (of tractors fame), made
the 1st aero flight. In 1914 in Clonakilty, Lord
Carbury from Castlefreake, started performing
loop de loops at air shows outside Clonakilty. He
enlisted in the fledgling air force in WWI, which
was used to monitor submarine movements.
An American air base was set up during WWI,
the remains of which can be seen from the road
between Castlemartyr and Killeagh. 48 planes
were based in Aghada and there was also a
base in Whiddy Island. Michael Collins set up an
Air Corps, military and civilian.
1937 an air show took place in Ballincollig, and
at Seamus MacGerailts initiative, Cork Harbour
was set up as a transatlantic hub, with many
carriers landing.
After WWII, Geo. Heffernan and Dan Cullinane
ran charter flights from the site opposite the
current Cork Airport location, and in the 1950’s
both Midleton and Glanmire were proposed
airport sites. In 1958, Taoiseach Lemass and
Jack Lynch purchased Cottrells land and Cork
Airport was officially opened on the 12th October
1961, described by the late cook Keith Floyd as
a “pub with a runway”.
Buíchios mór to Diarmuid for a wonderful talk.
6th November: “COPE, Caring for
People” talk by Anthony Dinan,
Chairman, COPE Foundation
COPE was founded in 1957 by John Birmingham,
to cater and care for those impacted by polio,
and was known as the Cork Polio and Aftercare
Association. It subsequently developed to cater
for a broader range of needs, reflected in its
name change to the COPE Foundation. It now
employs 2300 people, all dedicated to catering
for special needs, 24/7, care often involving 8
people per individual on a rota basis. It runs 4
special needs schools, 6 pupils max per class,
and special needs housing. Fund raising is
now a major concern, with the public disdain at
recent events in the sector, as is the regulatory
environment with its stringent medical and safety
requirements with no allowance for volunteerism,
goodwill, and human factors.
L to R: Finbarr McGrath, Anthony Dinan,
Chairman COPE, Tom Potts, Cyril Treacy.
But COPE is synonymous with empathy for
fellow man and is a Cork Brand of which Cork
and its people can be justly proud. Also the talk
was most apposite given two ARIS members
involvement…the late Ned MacSweeney, Cope
Chairman for many years, and Billy Sullivan,
former director of COPE and current ARIS
auditor.
Our thanks to COPE Chairman, Anthony Dinan.
AKING NEWS...BREAKING NEWS...BREAKING NEWS...
Veritas Wealth Management
Brendan Boylan
Not many ARIS Members realise that we have
an Irish International in our midst, Brendan
Boylan. Brendan recently represented Ireland
at the International Tennis Federations Seniors
World Championships in Antalya, Turkey from
13th October to 26th October, 2014. Brendan
has been at training camp incognito for the past
12 months sharpening his serve, forehand, lobs
and smashes both for singles and doubles in
preparation for the seniors tennis internationals.
Brendan played singles and doubles against
Denmark, USA, and Canada but failed to make
it into the final section. Brendan remarked that
all his opponents had been senior pro and
played regularly in the sort of satellite
tournaments for seniors, something an Irish
Insurance Broker would not have time for.
Congratulations and Well done to Brendan and
all concerned.
Veritas Wealth Management is based in
Cape Town in South Africa, in 2013 won the
SA Financial Planning Institutes “Financial
Planner of the Year”. Veritas was founded by
Barry O’Mahony, who has Hons. Degree in
Economics, and diplomas in Financial Planning.
He played rugby for Ireland, prior to moving to
South Africa, in 1993. Barry has also founded
a schools rugby organisation, which operates in
the townships to teach rugby to youngsters and
as we know from being in the scrums teamwork,
discipline and organisation is also learned which
is more important in the long run. His father is
Michael O’Mahony, O’Mahony Insurances, and
an ARIS member, and long-time ARIS sponsors,
the latter business now run by Michael’s two
other sons David and Michael jnr..ARIS extends
its congratulations to Barry and his family in SA,
and Michael and Louis and the family here at
home.
Email circulars 2015. have you submitted your email address?
INSURANCE INSTITUTE of CORK
Santa, Panto and all that…
Now a fixture on the II Cork programme members
and Friends families attend the Opera House for
Santa and Panto. Unlike last year Rudolf was in
rude health and ready and fit for Christmas Eve
deliveries, guided by his driver Santa, performed
by ARIS Chair, Ger Dowling.
IIC President 2002/03 Des Murphy and his
family with Santa
with the precedent set at the Charities Luncheon,
staged an interview with Bill carried out by John
Murphy, of JLT Ins. Brokers, John being more
than capable on soccer, being ex Aston Villa !
Members and guests enjoyed the evening, so it
is well done to Rory and his council.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Lorraine Kingston,
with L to R, ARIS Chair, the late Ger Manning,
Bill O’Herlihy, Guest Speaker, and II Cork
President and Host, Rory O’Sullivan.
ANNUAL DINNER:
FRIDAY, 24TH JANUARY
Silver Springs Hotel
Hosted by II Cork President, Rory O’ Sullivan,
he welcomed guests at the reception and
formally at the dinner. Following toasts to the IIC
and III, Ken Norgrove, President III, presented
IIC prizes to students who met certain criteria in
Bill O’Herlihy, President IIC and Host Rory
the Institutes examinations.
O’Sullivan, and Simon Coveney, Minister for
Agriculture and Defence.
Both Presidents spoke of professionalism, and
access to it via the Institute, with the attitude to
the client/customer at its core. Guest speakers
were Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture
and Bill O’Herlihy, RTÉ. The Minister spoke
first and emphasised how Irelands reputation
abroad is rapidly improving following the exit
from the IMF bailout. He again emphasised
the importance of agriculture to the economy in
terms of exports, research, and employment. Bill
O’Herlihy, another Corkman, took the podium
and introduced himself with his classic brand
“OKee Dokee, where do we go from here”! Bill
spoke from the heart, started his career in “De
Paper” the Cork Examiner, how he enjoyed his
time there, and his 49 years with RTÉ, all the
sport, world cups, keeping the pundits in check Best Students – Left: Lauren Maher awarded
when possible. The President, Rory, keeping the Montgomery Cup and Ciara Shinkwin
awarded the McCarthy Group Cup.
ARIS PAST PRESIDENTS AT THE ANNUAL DINNER
INSTITUTE ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETINGS
Insurance Institute of Ireland
President 2014:
John Eves, Thorntons
Deputy Pres. 2015: Gearoid Gilley, VHI Cork
dilution of management skills. John presented
Ray with an internet digital radio in recognition of
long and outstanding service to the Institute both
locally and nationally over many decades.
Insurance Institute of Cork
President 2014:
Brian O Dwyer, Willis
Deputy Pres. 2014: Paul Kavanagh,
MIG Group.
Past Presidents Lunch,
25th Sept. 2014, Douglas GC
II Cork President Brian O Dwyer, Willis Group,
hosted a Past Presidents luncheon which was
attended by III President John Eaves, Eamon
Shackleton, CEO, III and Frank Craven,
Finance Director, III. John and Eamonn
articulated succinctly the Institutes role in the
current regulatory environment and the latters
Retired Past Presidents and ARIS Members, L
to R: John Forde 1971 /72, John Course 1969/70,
and Ray 1973/74. In addition, both John Forde
1983/84 and Ray 1984/85 were Presidents of
Insurance Institute of Ireland, III.
PAST PRESIDENTS – lunch
Standing L to R: Des Murphy 2002/03, Ray Fitzgerald 1973/74,
Patrick Cotter 1994/95, Aidan Duggan 1970/71,
Seated L to R: Colm Coffee 2000/01, Brian Kearney 1999/00, Alan Lynch 1996/97,
Alan Fitzgerald 2009/10 (uniquely Alan is Ray’s son, continuing a long family Institute connection)
17th Annual Insurance Charities Jazz
Luncheon, Friday 23rd October
The Charities Jazz Luncheon is now part of the
opening of the Cork Jazz Festival and as usual
there was a great attendance, magnificently
hosted by II Cork, President, Brian O’Dwyer,
who eloquently thanked all those who financially
supported our own charities, and continue
to do so. Also he expressed thanks for the
personal support he received from others ie.
II Cork Council, and organisers of the lunch
saying “jazz lunches don’t happen by
accident,” his colleagues in Willis, and his
Family. Brian introduced his special guest Alan
Quinlan, who spoke about his Munster and
International career and the disappointment at
losing a place on the Lions due to suspension.
Brian also introduced Adrienne O’Sullivan,
first Irish President of Insurance Charities
UK and Ireland who presented the Insurance
Charities Shield to 2013 II Cork, President
Rory O’Sullivan for the most “significant
contributions” in Ireland and the UK. to the
Insurance Charities. Cork won this prestigious
award jointly with Dublin from among the 60
local Institutes in Ireland and UK, the fine applause
spoke louder than words. Congratulations to the
Insurance Institutes of Cork and Dublin, well
done to all concerned!.
Kieran Canniffe, Council member, Charities
officer, and ARIS member praised and thanked
the Cork Insurance community for their massive
contributions to national charities, and the
winning of the award reflects Corks continuing
massive contributions to our own Insurance
Charities…well said and well done.
Go raibh agaibh go leir, Saluti, thanks to
everybody!!!
L to R; The High Command…II Cork
President Brian O’Dwyer, Amanda Dunne
Paula Hodson, III, and Eamon Shackleton,
CEO, III.
The President and Special Guest Alan Quinlan
The President (right) warms up his band for
“Strangers on the Shore”
Adrienne O’Sullivan
presents the Insurance
Charities Shield to Rory
O’Sullivan, on left is IIC
President, Brian O’Dwyer
and Kieran Canniffe,
Charities Rep.
The Late LEN ASTON…
Corks first Loss Adjuster.
Len arrived in Cork in 1947, representing his
fathers firm, Wm Montgomery and Sons Ltd. He
qualified as a Civil Engineer at Trinity College, he
was sent to Cork to set up the first Loss adjusting
office outside the Pale. He became a great
Institute supporter, his company Montgomerys,
presenting the Montgomery Cup for the best
overall results in the Institutes examinations in
Cork, and its presentation continues to this day.
In 1972 the firm Montgomerys split into
Thorntons
and Aston
Deller
Morgan,
subsequently Astons, and like the new Sheriff
arriving in Tombstone, Arizona, Len described
his arrival and “adjustment” (pardon the pun)
to life outside the Pale. It was first published in
the II Cork Newsletter in October 1988, and we
republish it, edited, by kind permission of Lens
son David, himself President in 1998. It is a small
tribute to Len and his firm who contributed so
much to the Insurance business and the Malls
“moving and shaking” over many years.
William Montgomery and Son who not only
were prominent Loss Adjusting or Assessing
as it was then known, but we were also valuers
particularly in the machinery sphere, and we
also ran an auctioneering business. In those
days the offices in Cork had to send for a loss
adjuster from Dublin and there were only two
firms operating in Dublin…Wm. Montgomery
and Son and Walter Hume and Co.
Late Len Aston, with his logo the pipe,
looking forward to an Institute Dinner,
possibly the Metropole Hotel.
A Loss Adjusters “Arrival and
Adjustment” in Cork, 1947.
“As the original Loss Adjuster in Cork I arrived
in January 1947 and in a sense was a “Dublin
Jackeen” who had never really been outside
the pale until I was unwittingly dispatched to
Missionary country, the southern tip of the Island
where I was told to try and establish an office. In
those days I was known as a Fire Loss Assessor
and I belonged to a very old reputable firm called
I found that I was welcomed by all the
management, inspectors etc., of the 30 to 40
insurance companies operating in the Cork area
at that time, because they could now lay their
hands on an Adjuster locally, other than having to
go all the 165 miles to Dublin. From the Cork base
I had to look after the entire province of Munster.
For six months I had to try and get around this
whole area by whatever means were available
such as trains, buses and taxis because the
prudent partners of the business paying me the
princely sum of £8.OO (Irish pounds sterling) a
week were not prepared to provide me with a
car or even a sophisticated piece of equipment
like a Dictaphone. I was permitted a telephone
with a handle you wound and hoped you would
make contact with the operator. I was lucky that
The Late LEN ASTON…
Corks first Loss Adjuster.
I, so to speak, followed in my fathers footsteps
as he really had a tremendous connection over
the whole of the southern part of the country
having operated there from 1922 to 1947. When
I departed for foreign parts my father gave me
a list of people I could trust, in making enquiries
in various areas and there was so to speak, a
formula by which you got information, mainly
connected with liquid out of a bottle.
There was a draper in West Cork who could tell
you every thing you wanted to know within a
10 mile radius around the town where he had
his shop. You would arrive in the shop and if he
knew who you were, as soon as he was finished
with a customer, he would come and catch you
by the arm and you would end up in the snug
of the adjoining public house, having come in
through the rear door. He would have a few
small whiskeys and then you would get whatever
information you required buckshee. I was
privileged because I understand he never drank
with anyone in the town except my father and
myself. He certainly was a source of revealing
information from time to time.
Len with the trusty pipe, at the III Conference
in Rosslare, can any member distinguish the
others in the photo, possibly claims people.
These vehicles were generally pre emergency
(ie. pre war) and not in the very best of health!
Occasionally, I would hire out a baby Fiat with a
canvass roof top or an old Austin 7 for £2 per day
and set off into the country, hoping that I would
get back again without having to carry out any
major repairs. Reverting back to the hire of the
Fiat, I well remember the first afternoon I found
I could hire a car. It was a Saturday afternoon
There was also the creamery manager, in a little and in those days we used to work Saturday
village and here again you had to drink in both mornings. Another guy and myself made a date
public houses in the village before information with two ladies for the weekend, (never!!) and we
was imparted. You usually came away with at needed the car badly. I had a car but no insurance,
least a pound of butter, if not more, which was so I descended on the Mall, hoping I might meet
wonderful in the days of rationing.
an inspector who was still about in the afternoon,
when I saw a well known figure walking towards
In those early years there really wasn’t such a thing me Charles Gladstone. Explaining my dilemma
as a car hire company, but there were individuals and the affairs of the heart, he covered the baby
who would occasionally hire out a vehicle to you. Fiat and any other car I might be able to extract
from the hirer. I later married one of the two
ladies we took out that weekend”.
Thanks to David Aston, Len’s son for permission to publish.
L to R: Aideen Morey (Shield/Eagle Star, Claims Dept.), Late Liam Dynan,
(McAuliffe, Dynan, Barry, O’Mahony, Insurance Brokers), Brendan Boylan,
(O’Mahony Boylan, Golden Insurance Brokers), Roy Jolly (Marsh Ireland),
John Barry (ditto McAuliffe above), Austin Buckley (Coyle Hamilton Insurance).
Background L to R: Above Aideen Morey is Brendan Mulcahy (Mulcahy Insurance, Macroom),
behind Liam Dynan is John O’Mahony (O’Mahony Boylan Golden), side-facing between B.
Boylan and Roy Jolly is Pat Twomey (Cullinane Twomey, Insurance Brokers) and between
Roy J and John Barry, but observe closely…bald person is the late Derry Williams
(Buckley Williams Insurance) talking to Archie O’Leary (O’Leary Insurance).
Reeling in the Years
The occasion was the official opening of the
Shields/EagleStar office at number 12, South
Mall, the Shield having started in Cork, at 6,
South Mall. The date was Friday, 26th January
1990, and the official opening was performed by
Corks first Lady Mayoress, Chrissie Ahern,
R.I.P., Des O’Malley attended as Minister for
Industry and Commerce, and Des Redmond
was Cork Shield Manager, and your editor the
Inspector (remember that species). The day
was also the date
of the Insurance
Institute of Cork
Dinner in Jury’s
Hotel and Pat
Twomey (pictured)
was President and
Dinner Host.
Your editor was
Deputy President,
and
therefore
organiser of the
Dinner, so it was
a busy day, most
attendees at the
official opening were at the dinner and as was
said afterwards “they were all in great spirits”. It
was the last Dinner held in Jury’s so your editor
as Deputy President switched to its current
venue, Silver Springs, 25 years in January 2015!
From the picture it is worth noting the coiffure
of the men: pressed shirts and ties (no open
necks) and a predominance of the DBPS (double
breasted pin stripe) except Austin who has the
complete outfit known
at
the
time
as
DBPSWG
(double
breasted pinstripe, wide
gauge) and a PPK
(pen pocket kerchief)
of royal blue! The
blue is the blue
used in the modern
Zurich’s Z logo, having
taken over Eagle Star
Insurance,
owners
of the Shield for
many years. The
old Zurich (nothing
to do with Eagle Star then) left the market
suddenly in the late 1980s, but for many
years had a licence to underwrite motor and
accident insurance only. Being Non-Tariff old
Zurich was the cheapest insurance for Ford
cars rating them as 9 HP, whereas the Tariff
offices rated Fords at 16.25 HP, greater than
the contemporary batchelor car of the day, the
Triumph Stag 1600cc, which was rated 15 HP.
It was said by those who had inside info that
Henry Ford was Zurich’s major shareholder. The
old Zurich then applied for a fire licence, and
hence the ad displayed, but again tariff regulation
on co insurance limited their participation, with
consequences for development. The old Zurich’s
office was in Exchange Buildings, Oliver Plunkett
St, the manager a Mr H R Dale, the late Des
Guerin (a Dub) replaced him, and the office
moved to 32 South Mall, and then to 2 South Mall,
when it closed. The inspector was the late Tony
McCarthy, a great GAA referee, who started in
the old Shield, father of ARIS Times printer David
McCarthy, Woodland Print.
Royal Insurance Soccer Team c. 1968
Uniquely this team innovated and played ‘full’ friendlies against other Royal offices to prepare for
the IIC Soccer Tournament. This team played against Kilkenny office in Kilkenny, and lost. Also they
adopted the defensive zonal system, as developed by the great Italian Team, of 60s and 70s and in
particular its left back Giacinto Fachetti.
Back Row L to R: Finbarr McGrath, worked actually for Royal Group Co. the Law Union
and Rock, could play anywhere, with or without the specs., will Chair ARIS 2015. Brendan
Boylan, again a versatile player, but gave up Soccer to concentrate on tennis. Tom Cussen,
brought a claims mans attitude to defence, which was needed, particularly against the NU!
Tony Brooks another left sided defender, prone to yellow cards, became a golfer, and great ARIS
supporter. T. Whelan and B. Uniacke, both purchased in the previous transfer window
to add steel to the midfield, which Bernard did as an accountant.
Front Row L to R: Tom O’Callaghan, the late Brian Tobin, Captain, looking at the ground
(it was the BAN era) central defender par excellence, applied with rigour the Italian system,
but as a great GAA hurler with the Rockies, Cork Minor and under 21, it was 2nd nature to Brian,
Ar dheis de dar hainm dilis. Liam O’Mahony, also purchased in the transfer window, a striker.
Bill McCarthy, modelled himself on the Italian great Claudio Gentile, (nothing gentle by either in
the tackle), also prone to the odd yellow. Dave Coughlan, a rugby player, and brought this
application to soccer, yellows as well. Kevin Forde, Vice Capt., longed to be the Captain,
played in midfield, prone to injury from a long career in rugby.
Diploma Presentations by II Cork President, late Liam Dynan, October 1977 at the Imperial Hotel.
Front Row L to R: Kieran Murphy RSA, Liam Dynan, President, IIC, Catherine O’Regan, Hibernian,
Middle Row L to R: Late Brian McCan, General Accident / Sedgwick, L.M. Redmond,
Hibernian, D.F. O’Regan, Hibernian, The Late Ger Manning, RSA.
Back Row L to R: Gerry Dempsey, General Accident, Neil Daly,
Daly Insurance, Robert Broderick, RSA.
More information email: [email protected]
ARIS 1990
L to R: Late Declan Hayes, Chair NIBA, Southern Region, Tony Taylor, President NIBA
presenting sponsorship cheque to late Gertie Gavin, ARIS Chair 1990, and Ray, Hon.Sec ARIS.
LIA Life Assurance Assurance Association
Past Chairman’s Dinner 2001, Imperial Hotel.
Standing L to R: Ken Fitzgerald, Abbey life, Alan Egan, Hib Life, John Donnery,
Mary Catchpole, New Ireland, late Michael Sheehan, Sheehan Insurance, Jim Barry,
Joe O’Leary, Peter Barry, Independent Mortgage Centre, Finbarr McGrath, Sheehan Insurance.
Seated L to R: Tadgh McCarthy, Brendan Glennon, National Chairman LIA,
John Hayes, Irish Life, Noel Dillon, Dillon Insurance.
With others the late Michael Sheehan brought LIA to Ireland
and was proud of his contribution both locally and nationally.
An old ad for an old forgotten insurer, NEM now part of Allianz
GOLF NOTES 2014
Hold the Pin, Please...
Captain
John Packham. Hon. Sec. Declan Canton.
The Spring Outing was held in Water Rock GC
on the 16th May, ably managed and supervised
by new Captain John Packham, who welcomed
ARIS golfers. Blessed with a calm and sunny
day, the scoring was impressive, as was
expected, with only a margin of .5 separating
the top three teams.
5th L to R: Charlie Lapthorne, Pat Foley,
Capt. John Packham and John Forde.
1st L to R: Tony Brooks, Brendan O’Donoghue,
Karl Bornemann and Capt. John Packham
6th L to R: Mick Kelly, Capt. John Packham,
Paddy O’Rourke and John O’Riordan.
3rd L to R: Declan Canton, Capt. John
Packham and Ken Stanton.
Captain John bids adieu, after the MAY
outing, saying “see you all in September in
Douglas GC”
4th L to R: Dan Lynch, Noel Barber, Capt.
John Packham and Kieran Canniffe.
The Autumn Outing was held on the 18th
September for the first time at Douglas Golf
Club, for many reasons including access, traffic
and the onset of diminishing light. Again, in
benign conditions scoring was impressive.
After the prize giving, the Captain, sensing the
mood, asked for approval to continue the autumn
outing at Douglas, and he appeared to get a
100% show of hands.
In his concluding address, Captain John
confirmed what a great honour it was to be
ARIS Golf Captain for 2014 and he thanked the
gathered members for their confidence which he
hoped he had fulfilled, and a burst of cheers and
applause was a certain acknowledgement of a
job well done. Finally, John announced that ARIS
Golf Secretary Declan Canton, had chosen to
retire from this “most demanding post”. Declan’s
work and dedication was acknowledged by a
robust round of appreciation and applause, well
deserved, for his years of service. Similar rounds
of applause greeted two new Golf appointments:
2015 Captain is Karl Bornemann, and the man
with all the power, Golf Secretary, is Tony Brooks.
More applause came for both, all members
wishing them well in their onerous tasks ahead.
3rd L to R: Declan Canton, Brendan
O’Donoghue, and Eddie Lennon
4th L to R: The Captain, Donal O’Leary, Noel
Dillon, Ken Stanton, and Gerry Dinan.
1st L to R: Pat O’Reilly, Michael Hassett,
Capt. John Packham, Kieran Canniffe and
Charlie Laphtorne
5th L to R: Finbarr McGrath,
Karl Bornemann, Noel Barber.
2nd L to R: Paddy O’Rourke, Michael Lawlor,
Capt. John Packham, and Michael Gavin.
6th L to R: Ger Dowling, Dermot Barron,
Tony Brooks, and the Captain
Poets Corner 2014 by Aidan Duggan
POETS of the GREAT WAR 1914-1918
Our editor mentioned to me that he intended using the centenary of WWI as a theme for this years
magazine and I’ve decided to go along with this idea although I fear it might make for some gloomy
reading at times. However please bear with me.
Somebody described war as a mixture of glory and horror, glory certainly for the victors/survivors
but surely this is far outweighed by the killings, the awful sufferings of the wounded and the sadness
and distress of loved ones at home. Sadly I think WW1 reflected this in a very forceful way and I’m
afraid the poems I have chosen do little to change this feeling. I have selected two English poets
and in recognition of the fact that approx. 24,400 Irishmen died in that war, I have included one by
a well known Irish poet also.
WILFRED OWEN: 1893-1918
I’ll begin with one of the most famous English war poets, 2nd Lieut. Owen went
to war with the Manchester Regiment in 1916 at the age of 23. Badly wounded at
an early stage he was returned to the UK to recover. During this period he wrote
several poems about the horrors of warfare including the following lines. On his
recovery he was returned to the battlefront where he was awarded the military
cross for gallantry in action. Sadly he was killed before the war ended.
Spring Offensive
Halted against the shade of a last hill,
They fed, and lying easy, were at ease
And finding comfortable chests and knees
Carelessly slept. But many there stood still,
To face the dark blank sky beyond the ridge
Over an open stretch of herb and heather,
Exposed, and instantly the whole sky burned
With fury against them; earth set sudden cups
In thousands for for their blood; and the green slope
Chasmed and steepened sheer to infinite space
Knowing their feet had come to the end of the world
Hour after hour they ponder the warm field,
And the far valley behind where the buttercup
Had blessed with gold their slow boots coming up
So soon they topped the hill and raced together
Of them who running on that high place
Leapt to swift unseen bullets, or went up
On the hot blast and fury of hells upsurge
Or plunged and fell away past this worlds verge
Some say God caught them even before they fell!
W.B. YEATS: 1865 – 1939
Whilst Yeats was not directly influenced by the 1914-18 war a number of
his poems bear reference to events during the war, one of these is the very
moving poem “An Irish Airman”. The subject of the poem is Robert Gregory,
only son of Lady Gregory of Coole Park, Co. Galway, a close personal friend
of Yeats and with whom he established the Irish National Theatre in 1889
which led to the founding of the Abbey Theatre in 1904. Reading the poem
you may wonder why Gregory volunteered but being a member of an old
“settled” family the call was there to come to the aid of the “old country” and
he responded, sadly it was to cost him his life.
An Irish Airman Foresees his Death I know that I shall meet my fate,
Somewhere among the clouds above
Those that I fight I do not hate
Those that I guard I do not love
My country is Kiltartan Cross
My countrymen Kiltartans poor
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before
Nor law nor duty bade me fight
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds
I balanced all, brought all to mind
The years to come seemed of waste
of breath
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.
RUPERT BROOKE: 1887 – 1915
My final choice is by another prominent war poet. Brooke wrote this poem “the
SOLDIER” in 1914 prior to joining the British Mediterranean Expeditionary
Force. The poem proved prophetic as on his way to the landing at Gallipoli he
developed a serious infection from a mosquito bite from which he died on April
15th 1915. As his regiment were under orders to move on he was buried in an
olive grove on the island of Skyros, Greece. The poem was read from the pulpit
of St. Pauls Cathedral at his Memorial Service on Easter Sunday 1915.
THE SOLDIER If I should die think only this of me
That theres some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave once her flowers to love, her ways to roam
A body of Englands, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less,
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by
England given;
Her sights and sounds;
dreams happy as her day,
And laughter, learnt of friends and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
I mentioned at the beginning of my article that my choice this year would inevitably reflect the horror
and awful sufferings of warfare. I feel however that the last verse of The Soldier goes along way to
bringing us back to thoughts of happiness, gentleness, and hearts at peace with one another. Well
done Rupert Brooke!
And on that joyful note I wish you all a very…Happy Christmas
Aidan
1914 WW1
100 Years 2014
Introduction
Picture the scene…August 1914…railway
stations throughout Britain the light dimmed by
the onset of autumn and further dimmed by the
bellowing steam of trains full of recruits, to join
their regiments to head for war in Flanders Fields.
Mothers, Wives, Girlfriends and Children waving
goodbye, jolly in the perceived knowledge the
war would be over by Christmas. But by October
1914, with reports of atrocities in Belgium, and
1.3 million Belgian refugees on the roadsides
in the Netherlands, and deaths and casualties
increasing daily…it would not be over by
Christmas. But how was it that three first cousins,
Britains King George V, (the Saxe Coburgs),
Germanys Kaiser Willy, (the Hohenzollerans)
and Russias Tsar Niki (the Romanovs) went to
War? After all the Kaiser, Wilhelm II, was Queen
Victoria’s favourite grandson! The first part will
look at Imperial Europe of 19th century with the
Austro/Hungarian/Balkans/Ottoman Empire at
its core, but abiding by Prof. Joe Lees adage
“History is viewed with the luxury of the handicap
of hindsight”. It started in the Austro Hungarian
Empire and the Balkans and finished there,
when the German/Bulgarian army collapsed
with the French/British/Greek offensive. When it
stopped there was only one Empire left standing
the British Empire. The Political Economic and
Nation changes in Europe were unprecedented,
and continue to have implications today, even in
Ireland.
Dedication
A Centenary is normally a cause to celebrate,
but not this one, it is one to “Remember” those
who fought in the “mud, blood and fear” died,
never returned, the casualties, the widowed,
the orphaned. We remember all Irishmen who
fought and died, but in particular all Corkmen
and women, but especially relatives of ARIS
members in The Great War.
Photo shows Finbarr (with ARIS Times) who with
two biker friends Tom Brady and Jim Maher who
visited several WWI memorial sites this year
and paid tribute to soldier no. 26907 Pte. John
Flanagan, grandfather of Maeve (Flanagan)
Treacy, who was killed at Gavrelle and whose
name is inscribed on the plaque at Arras
Memorial. Remembered also was Pte. Harold
Brooks, no.14229, who was killed at Gallipoli
and was a Great Gran uncle of Tony Brooks.
19th / 20th Century Europe
Prokuplje is a small drab town in south western
Serbia, its main road leading to the new state of
Kosovo, which has mystical historical resonance
for Serbia, as there on the 28th June 1389, (now
Serbias National Holiday), Serbian Armies were
overcome by the Ottoman Turks, which resulted
in Ottoman rule in the Balkans for in excess of
500 years. In October 1912 buoyed by its new
found status having thrown off the Ottoman
yoke, Serbia gathered its forces in Prokuplje to
invade Kosovo, merge it with Serbia, and move
the revolt, but it showed that the AH was weak
militarily, and Russia could have expanded its
Empire at the expense of AH... The Ottoman
Turks controlled much of the Balkan countries,
but it was not a conventional Empire, it was a
Sultanate, governed by a council called the
Sublime Porte. The Sultan kept a Hareem, and it
was as much a Caliphate as an Empire, it ruled by
a system of social order called the “Millet” system,
(in which ones religion was ones nationality),
with Muslims on top of the pecking order,
Catholics at the bottom and Eastern Orthodox
in the middle. This caused resentment, social
chaos and local ethnic wars and atrocities in the
Ottoman ruled Balkans (and is the root cause of
the 1990s Balkan civil wars). In mid 19th century
the Ottoman Empire was close to collapse,but
for the Imperial powers it was case of which one
would fill the vacuum? Russia seemed the most
likely being Slavic and Orthodox, but Britain did
5
4
want Russia controlling the straits and eastern
Mediteranean (access to Egypt and India), it
2
resulted in the Crimean War in 1853. During this
1
3
War, Aus/Hun. sent its troops via its sprawling
Romanian Lands, then known as Transylvania,
to seize the Danube delta, and block Russian
access to the Balkans. The Russians were
none too pleased after coming to Aus/Huns aid
in 1848, as they were allies. It was a gesture the
Family portrait at the engagement party of
Russians would not forget, when they needed
the Russian Tzar and Alicy. 1) Queen Victoria
to forget.
and 2) her eldest daughter, Princess Victoria,
mother of 3) The Kaiser Wilhelm, first cousin
of 4) Tzar Nicholas II and 5) his fiance Alicy.
How did it all go wrong?
on to Albania. It was a joint operation with other
Balkan states Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece
to rid the Balkans of the Ottoman Turks. Most
young Serbian men volunteered be part of this
nationalistic fight, the volunteer recruiter was
Major Tankosic, but he was also a leader of the
Black Hand, Serbias secret nationalistic terrorist
organisation. Two teenage boys arrived to be
recruited, both ethnic Bosnian Serbs, but Aus/
Hun. by nationality, one was accepted for the
volunteer army, the other rejected as being too
sickly.
19th century Europe was ruled by the Great
Imperial Powers Austro/Hungary, Imperial
Russia, the Ottoman Empire, the new German
Empire which resulted from the rise of Prussia,
and the British Empire. But the forces of change
in
terms
of
Nationalism, Socialism,
Communism,
Particularism,
Education,
Clericalism, Rights to Land Ownership and
Anarchism were all lapping at the Imperial
foundations, all of which sprung from the French
Revolution. Several wars in Europe in the 19th
century were a prelude to the changes in the Nicholas and George. The two were
balances of power and attitude of the Imperial constantly mistaken for each others
Courts, and WWI.
Austria/Hungary was the successor to the
In 1848 the Hungarian part of the AH Empire Holy Roman Empire, now the confederation of
revolted wishing to create a mini empire of their German speaking states. Prussia as the new
own within the existing AH Empire. AH sought leading German state vied with AH and war
an obtained help from Russian Empire to quell broke out in 1866 with the Austrians routed after
six weeks at the battle of Koningrats. France,
alarmed at the shift in balance of power, Prussia,
now an industrial/economic/military power as a
neighbour, sought an alliance with the Catholic
southern German States, it provoked the 1870
Prussian/Franco War when the south German
States sided with Prussia. France lost the
regions of Alsace and Lorraine, and was isolated.
France would also not forget when the time
came. It ushered in the new German Empire,
but it also showed that militarily Aus/Hun. and
France were weak, and that Germany held the
upper hand with its Imperial expansion.
two main personalities were Bismark and the
British representative Disraeli, it became known
as the Bissy and Dissy conference. One of the
main upshots was that Bosnia Hercegovina
was to be administered by AH, with the formers
rulers, the Ottomans playing a minor role in their
former colony. Russia having gained control of
Bulgaria from the Ottomans, were peeved
again when Bulgaria was returned to Ottoman
rule by the Congress (in lieu of their expansions
in the East), but at least the congress brought
calm in Central Europe until AH Empire started
to do solo runs again.
The Congress Of Berlin 1878
King George in 1923
German Chancellor...Prussian Count Otto
von Bismark
Heres where the hindsight applies. The
Imperial powers alarmed at the consequences
of a collapse of the Ottoman Empire and its
consequent implications for the Balkans and/or
a central European war, the Germans, who had
no interest or territory in the Balkans, decided to
hold a conference on Europe and the Balkans in
particular to resolve issues prior to an Ottoman
collapse. Organised by Otto von Bismark, it
met in Berlin in June 1878, it was an Imperial
meeting of European states to preserve the triple
alliance of Germany, Russia, Austria Hungary,
not democracy or social justice for the peasants
and serfs in the Empires, who paid high taxes to
Emperors, who did not speak their language. The
Kaiser Wilhelm 1938 in exile in Holland
Austria Hungary, The Balkans,
The Ottomans
Centre Franz Ferdinand discussing the
Empires Lands with Franz Joseph.
AH Empire was a total anachronism, as one of
their diplomats observed in relation to the Empires
foreign policy “ The AH Empire muddles along”. It
was a multi ethnic, (Germans, Slavs, Hungarians,
Romainians, Vlachs, Jews, Ruthenians),
multi lingual, and a multi religious Empire held
together by the goodwill of its old Hapsburg
Emperor, Franz Joseph. The assassination of
his wife, Empress Sissi, impacted on him, and
on his rule, delegating much decision making to
his Court and Ministers. In 1888 Franz Joseph’s
son and heir, Crown Prince Rudolph married
Stephanie (daughter of the King of Belgium,
WWI Germany invades Belgium), met and fell
for a young Baroness, Maria Vetsera. Rudolph
organised a shooting trip, Maria was also invited,
unknown to the others. The others returned to
Vienna, but Rudolf cried off, citing illness, but
later that night he summoned the butler to make
a coach ready for Vienna, in the process the
butler heard two shots from the Princes bedroom
and discovered the bodies of the Prince and the
Baroness. In the Imperial Court the matter was
hushed up as an accident, but the dilemma for
the Empire was a successor, and eventually one
of the empires 100 Archdukes accepted, another
Hapsburg, Franz Ferdinand, was crowned heir
to Franz Joseph.
But he also required an heir and a suitable
Empress, and many were suggested, but
he fell for a Bohemian (Czech) Countess
Sophie Chotek, but she was not Royal
enough. Eventually after intervention by Kaiser
William, Pope Leo XIII, and Tsar Nicholas
the marriage was allowed, but a morganatic
marriage, which precluded Sophie and any
children from privledges and succession to the
Imperial Throne. It reflected the backwardness
of the AH Empire, but it caused a rift between
the Emperor Franz Joseph and his heir Franz
Ferdinand. The latter anxious to succeed the
old Franz Joseph, set up a kind of 2nd court and
included in his entourage the Foreign Minisrer,
Arenthal and Hapsburg Army commander Baron
Von Hotzendorf. Franz Ferdinad with the two
ministers wanted to modernise the Empire but his
main thrust was to severely limit the input of the
Hungarians who blocked everything. He wanted
a federal Empire with all the different states
having a home rule type of input, both socially
and militarily. The real dilemma for the Empire
was language “Old German” being the official
administrative language, but the Hungarians
wanted Magjar and the difficulty was which
language to use as the military communication
language, a coherent command structure. This
became part of the Empires Army problems
during World War 1, when Slavs from AH were
fighting Slavs from Russia neither side knowing
why. The language dilemma was very evident in
Czechoslovakia, Czech speaking and Slavic, but
had a large minority of German speakers who
ran the Empires bureaucracy. Agitating for years
for their own language to be official and thought
in schools, Vienna acquiesced, but alienated the
Germans. It was typical Imperial bungling, and
was the cause of the Sudetenland issue at the
start of World War II.
Serbian Army conveying Radomir Putink out
of Serbia via Albania to the Adriatic. Putink
was one if the few great soldiers of WWI.
the Ottomans. But Germany backing Aus.
Hun. would not remain on the sidelines. For six
months in 1908/09 diplomacy resolved the
crisis, (a crisis with greater significance than
the July 1914 crisis which led to WW1) but the
reality was that Russia weakened was unable
to back Serbia militarily, so Russia and Serbia
had to accept the AH Empires annexation of
Bosnia. Again Russia had been humiliated as
a great power, and would not forget, when it
needed to forget.
Italian gunners in the Alps
Another blow to the balance in Europe was
struck not in Europe but in the East. Imperial
Russia lost the 1904/1905 war with Japan over
port rights in the east, with 250,000 men lost,
dead or missing. The implications were severe,
a European Imperial power had been defeated
by an eastern power, Russia was rocked by
revolution, 1000 killed at a St. Petersburg
demonstration, Russia, ally of France and
Serbia, was seriously weakened both politically
and militarly.
The Bosnia, AusHun, annexed, had several
ethnic/religious
groups…Turkish
Muslim,
Bosnian Orthodox Serbs, Bosnian Croatian
Catholic Serbs, in addition to Albanian, Jewish,
and Greek minorities. In addition language
distinguished the people…Turkish, SerboCroat
(two different scripts), but the Ottoman Millet
social system whereby the Muslims were on the
top rung and the Catholics on the bottom, was
reversed with the arrival of the Catholic Austro
Hungarians. Its application caused resentment
and allowed all shades of Nationalism, on an
ethnic/religious basis to flourish underground,
but there was unifying factor… to be rid of the
AusHuns who replaced the Ottomans as
colonialists. The Serbs wanted to annex Bosnia
and form a South Slav federation, (a prelude to
Yugoslavia) and supported and financed dissent
by Bosnian Serbs.
The small new Serbian Nation found itself in
a rough neighbourhood, surrounded by three
great powers Austria Hungary, Russia and
the Ottomans, and decided to rearm. AH
wanted the deal for their ailing firm Skoda, but
the Serbs opted for French firm, Schneider
Creussot, (France being allied to Russia, the
latter being Slavic and Orthodox) AH reacted
banning the import of Serbian pork, but AH was Three assasins discussing tactics in
alarmed at the rise of Serbian nationalism and Belgrades Park. L to R: Cabrinovic
its implications for other Slavic Serbs within the Garganovic and Princip.
Empire, particularly Bosnian Serbs.
In response the Austro Hungarians decided
Fearful of Serbian expansion, the Austro to display their military prowess in Bosnia,
Hungarian Empire in contravention of the sending a signal to the Serbs, so in June 1914
Treaties at the Congress of Berlin, in 1908, the Aus/Hun Empires military maneuvers were
fully annexed its administrative area of Bosnia held in Bosnia. As head of the Empires armed
Hercegovina. Serbia was outraged, called for forces, Franz Ferdinand was invited to review
treaties to be rescinded where upon Russia the maneuvers which he did, following a few
could and would annex Bulgaria, Britain annex days holiday in Istria with Sophie and his family.
Afterwards, on Sunday, 28th June 1914, it was
decided that Franz Ferdinand as future Emperor
should visit the Capital, Sarajevo and meet some
of Bosnia leaders. As it was a military visit, not
an official Imperial State visit, Sophie much to
his delight could accompany him. On Sunday
morning after Mass and Breakfast, they set off
for Sarajevo at about 9.30am, and changed into
their new Graf and Stiff open motor car, reg. no.
A111118. Franz Ferdinand readily recognisable
in his blue military tunic, brass buttons, and dyed
green ostrich feathers on his hat. He couldn’t be
mistaken.
Franz Fedinand and Sophie leaving the
Mayoral Reception 15 mins. before being
assassinated.
Driving along Appel Quay in Sarajevo, the 2nd
assassin threw a grenade, (8 assassins were in
situ that day) which missed its intended target
Franz Ferdinand, but badly injured troops in
the following vehicle. The entourage continued
to meet the dignitaries and Mayor waiting at the
reception in the Town Hall. The Mayor made a
speech, oblivious to the fact that there had been
an attempted assassination, to which Franz
Ferdinand replied, and in a fit of temper berated
the officials. After assurances that the perpetrators
were caught, (the assassin who threw the
grenade, Cabrinovic, was son of the AH Empires
head of intelligence in Bosnia), Franz Ferdinand
decided to visit the injured troops in hospital. All
involved agreed a new route back, but nobody
told the driver! Driving back down Appel Quay,
the driver took a wrong turn right at the Latin Bridge.
One of the assassins, depressed at the failure of
the mission, was mulling over his thoughts with
coffee, in Moritz Schillers café, right at the turn
off where Franz Ferdinand’s driver stopped,
realising the wrong turn. The assassin could
not believe his luck, he pulled out his pistol and
shot Franz Ferdinand in the neck, the 2nd shot
intended for Oskar Potoriek, Austro Hungarian
High Commissioner in Bosnia, he was impeded
X
The X is the spot at Mortiz Schiellers Cafe on
the Appel Quay where the assassination took
place.
and accidentally shot Sophie instead. The
assassin was Gavrillo Princip (Gabriel Princely
translated) and was the sickly volunteer
rejected by the Serbian Army in October 1912 in
Prokuplje! All were connected to Serbian terrorist
group the Black Hand, run by the volunteer
recruiter, Major Tankosic.
“The Rest is History”!!
Now Austro/Hungary reacted fiercely and
demanded action of Serbia, who it blamed for the
assassination, Austria Hun decided to declare
war on Serbia, after the latters rejection of terms
set by the AH Empire, but to do so they had to
get the backing of their ally Germany, which
they did, and on 28th July 1914 Austria declared
war on Serbia. War on Serbia mobilised Serbia’s
ally Russia. Germany then declared war on
Russia, which brought Russia’s ally, France,
and when Germany decided to attack France by
invading neutral Belgium, Britain as Belgium’s
guarantor entered the war. It ended in 1918, with
the Treaty of Versailles, the Armistice signed on
the 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month, 1918, to
coincide with the reg. no. of Franz Ferdinands’
new car…A111118!
Bibliography
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Misha Glenny, The Balkans, 1804-1999
Simon Winder, Danubia
Liam and John Nolan, Secret Victory
Sir Max Hastings, Catastrophe
Correlli Barnett, The Great War
Miranda Carter, The Three Emperors
Peter Hart, Gallipoli
RTE and RIA, edited by John Horne
Ireland and the Great War
Paddy McCarthy – Cork, During the Great War
Prof. Joe Lee – The Shifting Balance Power
Noticeboard
2015 PROPGRAMME
05 Feb
“Royal Visits” Pat O’Connell
1. Agm Thursday 8th Jan 2015,
Douglas gc
2. Membership Subs Due!
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07 May
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Members with email addresses will only
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Have you sent your email address? Do so by emailing: [email protected]
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via Paris”
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